If your domain and email are hosted with GoDaddy, but you want your website hosted on another provider (like GreenGeeks, SiteGround, HostGator, InMotion, etc.), you can update your domain's DNS settings to serve the website from the new server while keeping your domain registration and email on GoDaddy.

Note: This article also works in reverse. If you're hosting your website in GoDaddy and keeping your domain or email on a different provider (like Namecheap, Zoho Mail, Google Workspace, etc.), just point the correct DNS records to the hosting IP address while preserving MX and mail records.

Why use this setup?

• You want to retain your domain and email with GoDaddy
• You want to host your website elsewhere for performance, pricing, developer access, or features
• You want zero downtime or disruption to your existing email setup
• You don't want to change nameservers or transfer hosting

What you'll need

• Access to your GoDaddy DNS settings
• The IP address of your new hosting provider (e.g., 123.456.789.101)
• Access to upload your website to the new host

Step 1: Prepare the website on your new hosting provider

a. If using cPanel hosting (GreenGeeks, HostGator, InMotion, etc.)

• Log in to your cPanel account
• Go to File Manager or connect via FTP
• Upload your files to the /public_html directory
• If using a CMS like WordPress, upload the installer and install it
• Note your hosting IP address (usually found in the General Information section)
• Preview URL format: http://123.456.789.101/~yourusername/

b. If using SiteGround, Cloudways, or similar

• Log in to your hosting dashboard
• Use Site Tools, File Manager, or SFTP to upload your website
• Install your CMS if needed
• Copy your account IP address (found under Site information)

Step 2: Update the A record in GoDaddy DNS settings

• Log in to your GoDaddy account
• Go to My Products > DNS next to your domain name
• Find the existing A record:
  • Type: A
  • Name: @
• Click Edit and update the IP address
• Click Save

Step 3: Update or confirm the www CNAME record

• Still in the DNS records list, find a CNAME record with:
  • Name: www
  • Value: @ or your domain name
• If this exists and points to your domain, you're done
• If not, click Add to create one:
  • Type: CNAME
  • Name: www
  • Value: yourdomain.com

Important: Keep your mail settings untouched

• MX records (mail delivery)
• CNAME or A records related to mail
• TXT records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
• Nameservers (keep GoDaddy’s default unless migrating DNS)

Optional: If your website is hosted in GoDaddy

• Upload via GoDaddy File Manager (no cPanel)
• Find hosting IP under Hosting > Settings
• Update the A record from your domain registrar to GoDaddy’s IP
• Retain MX/email records from your third-party provider

DNS propagation time

DNS changes may take a few minutes to 24 hours to fully propagate globally. During this time, some visitors may still see the old site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this break my email?
Not at all, as long as you leave the MX and mail-related records as they are. You’re only changing the A record for the website.

Do I need to update nameservers?
No. In this setup, you’re keeping GoDaddy’s default nameservers. Just updating DNS records is enough.

Can I test the site before updating DNS?
Yes. Use a temporary URL or IP-based preview provided by your new host. You can also set up a local hosts file for testing if you're more advanced.

Conclusion

Pointing your domain's website to another hosting provider while keeping your domain and email with GoDaddy is a common and practical setup. It lets you take advantage of better hosting services without affecting your business emails or domain management.

Whether you’re using cPanel hosting or providers like SiteGround, just update your A record and you’re good to go. And if you’re doing the reverse — hosting the website in GoDaddy but keeping domain or email elsewhere — the same DNS concepts apply.